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No cold-calling zone launched in Corby

10 August 2015

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A scheme to fight rogue traders and distraction burglaries has been launched in Corby.

A no cold-calling scheme has been set up around Welland Vale Road in Corby – including Cedar Court, Maple Court, Rowan Court and Velbert House – where elderly or vulnerable residents have previously been targeted.

Door stickers

High visibility signs have been put up to indicate the area is a no cold-calling zone and crime prevention packs including door stickers delivered to local residents.

Residents are also being reminded of the message not to open the door if they don’t know the caller.

Cllr André Gonzalez de Savage, county council cabinet member for public protection, strategic infrastructure and economic growth, said: “Over the past ten years, we have been introducing cold-calling zones to other parts of the county and have some extremely positive feedback from local residents.

“Members of the public should never feel pressured into making a decision or agreeing to buy anything on the doorstep. Our advice is very clear – don’t open the door.”

Partnership working

The no cold-calling scheme, launched on on Thursday (August 6th), has been initiated and funded by the Corby Community Safety Partnership, which includes Trading Standards, Corby Borough Council and Northamptonshire Police.

Inspector Vaughan Clarke, of Northamptonshire Police, said: “This area has been selected as a no cold-calling zone because there have been distraction burglaries here in the past.

“We hope the no cold-calling scheme will give people the confidence to say no to door-to-door callers. The simple message is if you are not expecting a caller, do not open the door.”

Cllr Tom Beattie, leader of Corby Borough Council, said: "Corby and the surrounding villages is a safe place to live and we want to keep it that way by reducing the number of opportunities for bogus callers to prey on vulnerable members of the community.

"We believe that no cold-calling zones like this will send out a clear signal to people who operate like this that they are not welcome in this area.”

Suspicious callers

Residents also asked to call a special police hotline, 0345 23 07 702, to report any suspicious callers to their home.

A revised recommendation for the future of the library service will be discussed today (Tuesday) by Northamptonshire County Council’s Cabinet after the authority’s auditors advised it to reconsider its proposed budget for 2018/19.